Brand new fire appliance used for the first time in Doncaster

One of two brand new fire appliances available for South Yorkshire blazes has been used for the first time.

The appliance, with a 32 metre high turntable ladder, was deployed to a fire at a derelict farm building on Moor Road, Thorne, Doncaster, at 6.20pm yesterday.

The fire was well developed when crews arrived, with the roof of the building well alight.

South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue has bought two turntable ladders at a combined cost of £1.2 million. The other vehicle is based at Parkway fire station in Sheffield.

Area Manager Phil Shillito said: “Aerial appliances are important vehicles because they allow us to tackle fires from above and rescue people from height in a way we are not able to do with a traditional fire engine.

“These turntable ladders were chosen with the help of the people who will use them every day- frontline firefighters. The overwhelming feedback was that these appliances are the best specification vehicles currently on the market.”

“We have a long history of using the very best resources to provide emergency cover to the people of South Yorkshire.

“These vehicles are testament to the fact that, in spite of the current challenging economic backdrop, we will continue to provide the very best firefighting resources to our frontline crews.”